Ask the EXPERTS

We answer your DIY and maintenance questions with a little help from the experts

Q I’ve moved into a new house and would like to update the lighting to make it more of a feature – do you have any advice?

Stephanie, by email

A Pamela Fossey, National Account Manager at OSRAM, offers her top tips…The best place to start is to really think what your lighting needs are, as light is personal. This will also depend on the style of your property – you may prefer light fittings that are in keeping with the age of a traditional house, while a modern apartment may benefit from a more contemporary lighting scheme. By auditing the lights in your home you can get the right light to match your needs. For example, most people prefer bright lighting in the kitchen for food preparation. In a kitchen diner, however, being able to switch those off and have some lamps or an overhead pendant light with a lower wattage bulb will provide softer lighting for cosy family meals or entertaining.

About Your Home Magazine

Is it just me, or do you love the month of May too? Not only does it feel like summer is on the way, but we also get those cheeky bank holidays to enjoy. For many of us the longer, warmer days mean that it’s the perfect time to tackle those decorating jobs we’ve been thinking about. In this issue we’ve got plenty of expert advice to help you plan your next decorating project and redesign your rooms like a stylist (p.36). If you’re thinking about updating your bathroom, then we’ve got some great monochrome schemes to inspire you (p.48), plus three readers share their own bathroom transformations with us (p.24) and they’ve got plenty of great ideas for you to steal. If, like me, you have a tiny kitchen, you’ll love our clever suggestions and smart solutions to make the most of the space you have (p.54). Now that summer is on the horizon, our thoughts turn to spending more time outdoors. On page 106 we discuss how to turn your alfresco space into an extension of your home. From balconies to terraces, patios to decks, we’ve got ideas for every space, no matter how big or small. If you’re a fan of street food, check out our delicious recipes on page 100 which will show you how to recreate all your favourite dishes at home. The Bajan fish cakes are really delish! Finally, to help you with your bank holiday projects we’ve put together a special free magazine to accompany this issue, full of quick and easy ideas to revamp your home in just a few hours. Happy decorating!